The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been a spectacle of drama, controversy, and record-breaking moments. Among the many stories to emerge from the tournament, here are some of the most intriguing and thought-provoking quick hits.
One of the most talked-about moments was the controversial goal scored by Norway's Andreas Schjelderup. The 22-year-old Benfica striker's strike was a thing of beauty, a powerful left-footed shot-cum-cross that caught England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford off guard. But what made the goal even more fascinating was the debate it sparked. Was it an 'undeserved wonder shot', as England assistant coach Anthony Barry put it? Or was it a 'lucky cross' that found the back of the net, as former England keeper Paul Robinson suggested? The answer may lie in the fact that Pickford, at the last second, decided to withdraw his hand, thinking the ball would sail away past his goal. But he was wrong, and England was behind.
The controversy didn't end there. After England equalized, Norway had a goal from Torbjørn Heggem disallowed after a foul by Erling Haaland. This decision, described as 'very fortunate' by former England striker Wayne Rooney, added to Norway's frustration. The decision to deny Norway a penalty was also a point of contention, with many questioning the VAR's judgment. 'Where is Spence supposed to put his leg?' asked Alan Shearer. 'He puts his leg forward to try to protect the ball, it is your job as a forward to do that.'
Another intriguing story was that of Jordan Henderson, who played no minutes yet still managed to get a yellow card and was stretchered off with a badly broken arm. Despite requiring surgery on his forearm, Henderson was out there in the Miami heat, warming up with an incredibly heavy-duty cast on his arm. 'It's alright, thanks,' he said when asked about his arm. 'Not my finest hour but the main job was to go there and win and progress to the quarterfinal, and we managed to do that so that's the main thing.'
The World Cup also witnessed the continued dominance of Lionel Messi, who broke yet another record. All 10 of his World Cup assists have been to set up goals for 10 different players, a testament to his versatility and skill. This time, Alexis Mac Allister was the beneficiary as Messi whipped a corner that was met by the Liverpool man's head. It was the first game of the World Cup where Messi hadn't scored, but his impact was undeniable.
The tournament also saw the red card of Breel Embolo, who dived more efficiently than Michael Phelps ever could, such was his hurry to get to ground. VAR intervened and, after reviewing the footage, referee João Pinheiro reversed his decision and gave Embolo a yellow for simulation. It was his second yellow card of the match, resulting in him being sent off. 'I feel for Embolo's teammates, I don't feel for him,' said former Manchester City striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. 'He has cost his team maybe getting through to the semifinals.'
In conclusion, the 2022 FIFA World Cup has been a tournament of surprises and controversies. From the beauty of Schjelderup's goal to the frustration of Norway's disallowed goals, and from Messi's continued dominance to Embolo's red card, the World Cup has provided a wealth of material for analysis and commentary. As the tournament progresses, we can only expect more drama and excitement, leaving us on the edge of our seats until the final whistle blows.
